25 August 2024 -- ^21st Sunday “B”

Jos 24:1-2a.15-17.18b; Eph 5:21-32; Jn 6:60-69

Homily

Over the last four Sundays, we have read in the Gospel the long discourse on the bread of life, found in chapter 6 of the Gospel of John, where Jesus declares himself the living bread given to the world by his Father, and where he calls for total faith in his person and in his message. The epilogue to this discourse, which we read today (before resuming the reading of Mark's Gospel next Sunday), was a turning point of great importance in Jesus' ministry and especially in his relationship with the crowd of disciples who followed him, and in particular the twelve Apostles.

24 August 2024, Feast of Saint Bartholomew

Rev 21, 9b-14; John 1, 45-51

Homily         

          There were several concentric circles of followers around Jesus. First there was the crowd, to whom Jesus addressed most of his teaching. Then there was a group of disciples, men and women, who followed him on his journeys through Galilee and Judea. Among them were the Twelve, whom he had chosen in a special way and who were to be the foundations of his Church. Each of these Twelve was chosen explicitly, each by name. Of some of them we know a fair amount about their lives, their apostolic activity and their martyrdom. Of others we know very little. Of Bartholomew (Bar Tolomeos, i.e. the son of Tolomeus), whom we celebrate today, we know very little. According to tradition, however, Bartholomew is the same person as the Nathanael mentioned in the Gospel we have just heard.

August 23, 2024 - Friday of the ^20th week in Ordinary Time

Ezek 37, 1-14; Mt 22, 34-40

Homily

In most societies that have not yet been overly influenced by modern Western culture, the solidarity of the clan or extended family is an extremely important dimension of the social structure. In fact, this solidarity is essential to their survival. Living conditions may be very simple and frugal; people may not have all our luxuries and gadgets, but nobody lacks the essentials. When a woman is widowed and children orphaned, they are cared for by the extended family, through a whole network of relationships. Similarly, strangers have a divine right to hospitality.

23 août 2024– vendredi de la 20^ème semaine du T.O.

Ez 37, 1-14; Mt 22, 34-40

H O M É L I E

          Dans la plupart des sociétés qui n’ont pas encore été trop influencées par la culture moderne occidentale, la solidarité du clan ou de la famille élargie est une dimension extrêmement importante de la structure sociale. En réalité cette solidarité est essentielle à leur survie. Les conditions de vie peuvent être très simples et frugales ; les gens peuvent ne pas avoir tout notre luxe et nos gadgets, mais personne ne manque de l’essentiel. Lorsqu’une femme devient veuve et que des enfants deviennent orphelins, ils sont pris en charge par la famille élargie, à travers tout un réseau de relations. De même, l’étranger a un droit divin à l’hospitalité.

20 août 2024, Fête de saint Bernard

Sap 7,7-10.15-16 ; Phil 3,17 - 4,1 ; Io 17,20-26

H O M É L I E

            Depuis déjà plus d’un siècle, nous célébrons saint Bernard comme Docteur de l’Église. Cependant, si Bernard est important pour nous, moines, c’est avant tout en tant que moine et abbé. Ce que nous attendons de lui n’est pas la réponse d’un grand maître à nos problèmes, mais plutôt les questions et les défis posés par un grand maître spirituel, qui était avant tout moine, et qui l’est demeuré à travers toutes les vicissitudes de sa vie.

August 20. 2024, Feast of Saint Bernard

Sap 7,7-10.15-16 ; Phil 3,17 - 4,1 ; Io 17,20-26

Homily

For over a century now, we have been celebrating saint Bernard as a Doctor of the Church. However, if Bernard is important to us monks, it is first and foremost as a monk and abbot. What we expect from him is not the answer of a great master to our problems, but rather the questions and challenges posed by a great spiritual master, who was first and foremost a monk, and who remained so through all the vicissitudes of his life.